Wow! I can't believe it is Thursday already! Now do you see why I don't get a case of the Mondays? My week is almost over and it feels like it's barely begun.
When I brushed my teeth last night I brought my bottle of water into the bathroom, set it down, and proceeded to brush my teeth with tap water. Realized it as I was tapping my toothbrush on the side of the sink at the end. Probably should have boiled the toothbrush last night, but I was too tired and annoyed with myself. I've been clenching my teeth lately. A friend from the Peace Corp said she and all of her fellow PC volunteers did the same thing. Wonder why? I don't feel stressed or anything. Anyway, I am not sick so far. I have a good feeling that I'll be fine. But normally I am very careful not to ingest any water here. I've seen little things that look like miniature seahorses in glasses of tap water before.
After the tooth brushing incident I was lying in bed and realized it was Wednesday night already, which meant I should have taken the garbage out. I got it out in time this morning, which was a good thing now that I have the kitty litter. We don't have garbage cans. We just put our bags of garbage by the side of the road on Thursdays and Mondays. I was very grateful to get the garbage out in time this morning. I remember thinking, "If the rest of my day goes this well, I am going to have a great day."
When we got to the church, once again Marlin had outdone herself. She had made over 200 huge pupusas as well as the "salad" that goes with them, one sweet and one spicy. Most of the kids like the spicy salad with jalapeños and onion. The other is sweet with carrot and cabbage. There were 79 kids in the first group today. That means 79 kids had full bellies this morning!
After the first group left, Lourdes asked me to go for a walk with her in Los Pinos. I had thought we would drive, and I assumed we would bring a man with us for safety, but we didn't. Lourdes had chosen specific kids to walk with us instead. As we crossed the street and left the gated safety of the church I was excited. I have walked through Los Pinos several times before, but only once, briefly, since 2009. Some of my friends have lived in Los Pinos, but they moved out about a year ago because it became too dangerous. I wasn't sure what to expect this time.
We drive to the church with the doors locked and the windows up. I never leave the gates of the church except in a locked car. From inside the gates I watch the kids come over, we serve them, and watch them walk back home. I often sit and gaze at the homes on the mountains and think about what life is like there. I know, from talking to the kids, that life is hard. But it is so far beyond anything I have ever experienced that it's just hard to comprehend. And yet, at this time in my life, some of the people I love most live in Los Pinos.
First we went to visit Karlita and her Mom, Clara. Clara has been very sick for a while and was not feeling well today. The doctor gave her some new medicine yesterday. She didn't have money to buy all of the things that were prescribed, so she bought two of three. What she didn't realize was that the third prescription was to counter the negative side effects of the first. Lourdes explained that and told her the church will help her to get the third prescription.
Here are photos of Karlita, her mother, and their home:
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| Karlita washing clothes in her pila. |
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| Karlita and her mother, Clara |
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| The front house is their home |
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| The first flight of steps |
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| The second flight of steps - look how steep and narrow! |
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| Their view of Los Pinos |
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| Their view of downtown Tegucigalpa in the distance |
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| Christian (Conejo) taking advantage of the view |
When we left Karlita and Clara we went a few houses down to visit the family of a Kiki, who is away at a Christian school. We took more pictures and talked. His family misses him a lot, but they realize that this is an important opportunity. Kiki lives at the school, which is in another state within Honduras. Gas is too expensive and the roads are too dangerous with kidnappings and drug trafficking to allow visits. But he will be home in October for vacation. The church helps find sponsors for the 6 boys who go to school in Olancho. The photos and discussion from this visit will be forwarded to the families in the US who are helping to sponsor Kiki's education.
During our walk, we passed by one of the students from my preschool class. He was proud to show me house he is building for his Incredible Hulk.
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| Esteban Josue and his Incredible Hulk |
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| The view from Esteban's house |
Next we went to Christian's house. He has had the nickname "Conejo" which means rabbit, for a long time. Lourdes would prefer that we don't use the nickname, but it is so fitting that somehow it sticks. Even Lourdes uses it sometimes. Christian's family lives in 4 homes. His Aunt lives in one, Grandmother in another, an Aunt and Uncle in the third, and Christian lives in the fourth with his mother and three sisters. Here is the first. His Aunt was inside making tamales.
First we went to Christian's house where his mother was making tortillas. She gave Lourdes tortillas, salt and cheese. I knew I was next. I was full after having eaten pupusas at the breakfast program. I wasn't sure how to handle the situation because I really had no room in my stomach and I knew that this would be taking food from the family. But I also knew it could be very insulting if I didn't accept the food. Finally I explained that I was really, really full so she only gave me one tortilla instead of two, with no salt or cheese. Looking back, I think I should have just eaten whatever she chose to give me, even if I did feel too full. I also think I will ask Christian if I can buy tortillas from his mother. I really liked her tortillas. She doesn't normally sell them, but it might give them a little extra money and I'd only ask for a few at a time.
Christian's mother asked when I would leave to go back to the states. Lourdes explained that I live here now and that I have a home here. It felt so good to hear that! Sometimes I can't believe this is my life. Hearing someone else say it makes it feel more real. I guess it's still sinking in.
At Christian's Aunt's house we had a good time of prayer. His family is dealing with a lot of difficult situations. They really opened up and were very appreciative of Lourdes' advice. We prayed for an Uncle who is unable not able to get out of Mexico and return to Honduras, a great aunt who is in very poor health, and an aunt who is having trouble starting a family of her own. I could feel God's presence strongly in that home, even when we were not in prayer. Christian lives in difficult circumstances, but God is with him and his family.
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| Christian and his family |
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| Christian's baby sister, Cindi, is in my preschool class |
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| Christian asked for his photo with his dog |
We climbed more steps/tires.
Then we visited Samir and Yareli's house.
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| Our guards took a break and hung out in the tree |
We talked with Samir and Yareli's mother. Her oldest son is one of the boys in Olancho at the private school. Just as we were about to leave she sent one of the boys to buy a juice for Lourdes and me. He returned with two cans of pulpy apple juice and two packages of chocolate, chocolate chip cookies. I asked Lourdes in English, so nobody would know what I said, if I could share the pack of cookies with the boys. She considered, but said no. So we sat and ate and drank. We took photos of her house to share with the sponsors in the US. Her son, Jarvin, who is the most advance boy in the preschool class, is covered in a rash that looks like a lot of bug bites. Lourdes encouraged them to hurry down the mountain to meet the doctor who sees the kids at the breakfast program. We looked over the meds they had in the house and found an anti-histamine. We told her to use that until she is able to get other meds. Poor little guy was so itchy!
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| Jarvin! |
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| Samir in red, with his Mom and brothers |
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| I wondered who wrote this in English |
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| I thought this was a cool house. |
We climbed more steps to our final stop at Bismar's house. I really care about Bismar a lot, but I don't get to see him much because he, too, has earned the opportunity to attend the private Christian school. When we got there his mother was making tortillas. She provides the sole income for his household, since his step father has cancer. He is very, very thin. We talked and prayed with them. Like every other family who has a boy away at school, they talked about how much they miss their son. They appreciate the opportunity, but it is hard for then to have their son so far away.
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| More steps |
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| Bismar's step father and mother |
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| The oven where Bismar's Mom makes tortillas |
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| View from Bismar's house |
As we walked home Lourdes reminded me to hide my camera. She started talking to me in English about what we would do when we got back to the church. I reminded her it is probably best that she speak to me in Spanish while we are in Los Pinos. She quickly agreed. We made plans for a man we are tutoring. He is very eager to learn English because he needs it for his work.
Our "guards" walked us safely back to the church. Lourdes gave them each a bag of potato chips and thanked them for keeping us safe and showing us all of the fastest trails to get around in Los Pinos. They seemed proud.
God is everywhere in Los Pinos. Every home I entered was full of crosses and religious pictures or sayings. But it wasn't just decoration. These people seem to be really walking with God. I wish my friends could experience how beautiful these people are. They don't have running water. Most don't have an indoor bathroom. They are struggling to provide for their families and facing horrible health problems. However, they have love and hope in God. That seems to be more than enough for the people of Los Pinos. It was an incredible, amazing day. I am so grateful the God chose this path for me.
Today was also Don Juan's birthday! We surprised him with a birthday cake - more food, but it was delicious! It was a fun ending to an incredible day.
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| Happy Birthday Don Juan! |
